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For Advisers only

Statutory adoption, maternity and paternity pay

Understanding statutory adoption, maternity and paternity pay is essential for advisers supporting clients through significant family‑related life events. These statutory payments provide crucial financial stability for new parents, offering structured support across maternity, paternity and adoption scenarios. Each benefit follows specific rules on duration and payment levels, including 39‑week entitlement for maternity and adoption pay and flexible one‑ or two‑week options for paternity pay, with payments typically based on 90% of average weekly earnings for the initial period followed by a capped statutory rate.

2026/27

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2025/26

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2024/25

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2023/24

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£172.48 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£172.48 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£172.48 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2022/23

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£156.66 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£156.66 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£156.66 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2021/22

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£151.97 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£151.97 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£151.97 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2020/21

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£151.20 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£151.20 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£151.20 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

2019/20

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory paternity pay

Statutory adoption pay

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks
£148.68 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

This is paid for either one or two weeks and is:

£148.68 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax (whichever is lower)

This is paid for 39 weeks and is:

90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks
£148.68 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

Further information

You can find more information on statutory maternity, paternity and adoptions pay in our article on parental leave and pensions. Or on GOV.UK using the links below.

Disclaimer

The information provided is based on our current understanding of the relevant legislation and regulations and may be subject to alteration as a result of changes in legislation or practice. Also it may not reflect the options available under a specific product which may not be as wide as legislations and regulations allow.

All references to taxation are based on our understanding of current taxation law and practice and may be affected by future changes in legislation and the individual circumstances of the investor.